East Lyme First Selectman Paul Formica said, “I believe that the first responsibility for promoting clean energy comes from the municipality.  Cities and towns should take the lead and set an example for their residents.”   He added, “In East Lyme, we look forward to exceeding our goal of 20% clean energy by 2010.”

CCEF’s Connecticut Clean Energy Communities Program is an award-winning initiative that challenges municipalities, faith communities, colleges and universities, businesses and residents to support clean energy.  This program has been critical to the development of the voluntary clean energy market in Connecticut.

“East Lyme’s commitment is an excellent first step toward becoming a Connecticut Clean Energy Community,” said Bob Wall, director, energy market initiatives for CCEF.  “The town’s residents and businesses can now do their part by signing up for the CTCleanEnergyOptions program, which is offered to all customers of CL&P and United Illuminating.  Once East Lyme secures a threshold number of CTCleanEnergyOptions signups and makes a municipal clean energy purchase, the town would then become a Connecticut Clean Energy Community and qualify for an earned solar electric array from CCEF.” 

Other towns in southeastern Connecticut that are leading the way in supporting clean energy include Essex, New London, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook and Stonington.

For more information about the Connecticut Clean Energy Communities Program and CTCleanEnergyOptions, visit www.ctcleanenergy.com/communities/ccec.php.
   
About the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF)
CCEF was created by the Connecticut General Assembly and is funded by the electric ratepayers.  CCEF’s mission is to promote, develop and invest in clean energy sources for the benefit of Connecticut’s ratepayers in order to strengthen Connecticut’s economy, protect community health, improve the environment, and promote a secure energy supply for the state. CCEF is administered by Connecticut Innovations, a quasi-public authority.  For more information on CCEF, please visit www.ctcleanenergy.com.